Unit 315: Hospital Housekeeping and Infection Control

1. Importance of Hospital Housekeeping

• Role of housekeeping in healthcare settings
• Impact on patient safety and infection prevention
• Consequences of poor housekeeping practices

2. Understanding Hospital Cleaning Protocols

2.1 Cleaning Standards and Regulations

• National and international standards
• Hospital-specific policies

2.2 Cleaning Tools and Equipment

• Types and proper use
• Maintenance and storage

2.3 Use of Disinfectants

• Types of disinfectants used in hospitals
• Selection criteria and application methods

2.4 Cleaning Techniques

• Wet vs dry cleaning methods
• Sequence and frequency of cleaning tasks

3. Infection Control in Hospital Housekeeping

• Principles of infection control
• Role of housekeeping in breaking the chain of infection
• Hand hygiene and cross-contamination prevention

4. Handling and Disposing of Biohazardous Waste

4.1 Types of Biohazardous Waste

• Infectious waste, sharps, pathological waste, etc.

4.2 Safe Handling Procedures

• Use of appropriate containers and labeling
• Minimizing exposure risks

4.3 Packaging and Transportation

• Secure packaging techniques
• Internal transport protocols

4.4 Disposal Methods

• Incineration, autoclaving, and other treatment methods
• Compliance with environmental and health regulations

5. Cleaning Patient Rooms and High-Traffic Areas

5.1 Patient Room Cleaning Procedures

• Daily and terminal cleaning
• Cleaning of surfaces, equipment, and furnishings

5.2 High-Traffic and Common Areas

• Identification of high-risk zones
• Cleaning schedules and protocols

5.3 Use of Checklists and Documentation

• Ensuring consistency and accountability

6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Housekeeping

• Types of PPE: gloves, masks, gowns, eye protection
• Correct selection and usage
• PPE donning and doffing procedures
• Disposal and reuse policies

7. Emergency Response and Spill Management

7.1 Types of Emergencies in Hospital Housekeeping

• Chemical spills, biohazard spills, bloodborne pathogen exposure

7.2 Spill Response Protocols

• Immediate containment and isolation
• Clean-up procedures and disinfectant use

7.3 Reporting and Documentation

• Incident reporting mechanisms
• Follow-up actions and debriefing

7.4 Training and Preparedness

• Drills and staff education
• Availability of spill kits and emergency equipment